VT Book Arts Guild “MailB.A.G.” March 2018

March 8, 2018

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

We meet at the Unitarian Universalist Society Church located at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington, VT. We will be in the Sophia Fahs Community Room, a large room located in the basement. Click here for more information on directions/parking.

Program: Digging Deeper: A Hands-On Exploration of Tunnel Book Structures

Join us as we plumb the depths of tunnel book structures in a member-led mini workshop format similar to our ever-popular November program, Card Tricks and Book Blitz.

Bring a tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure you’ve put together, along with materials that will allow approximately six people to make a model of your structure. If you can, bring written instructions for making the model – strictly optional and extra credit, but always appreciated!

Each person who brings a book or model will have some time to share and explain what they’ve made to the group, then we’ll spend time individually exploring and creating the structures.

Please feel free to join in the fun even if you don’t have time to prepare a model tunnel book or materials. We use a similar meeting format every November and there is always enough to go around.

Warning: Tunnel book structures are addictive, and B.A.G. cannot be held responsible for other projects that may not get done once you discover the many techniques available for making these magical books!

Things to bring:

A tunnel book you’ve made, or a model of a tunnel book structure (optional)

Materials for 6 people to make a model of your structure (optional)

Plain card stock for making models of structures (in case you need more materials to make models of the structures that interest you)

Glue

Scissors

X-Acto knife

Cutting mat

Ruler

Pencil

Bone folder

Awl or needle tool

The focus of our April meeting will be presenting content in a tunnel book format. However, if you are more interested in exploring one or two structures more thoroughly (rather than making several models) during the March meeting, you can bring in the following optional materials to experiment with adding visual content to those structures:

Decorative punches

Stamps and ink

Pens, pencils, markers

Decorative papers

Collage materials such as magazine images

February Meeting Reflections

Perhaps it was Jill’s enticing program description, Mining for Gold – Exploring Tunnel Books, that brought so many people out to the January meeting!

After an inspiring slide show of tunnel books from the web (thanks, Ann!), many makers shared their tunnel creations. While the variety of style and subject seemed broad, the overall concept of how image and construction form the tunnel was clear.

It’s always amazing to hear members talk about their work, and to realize what a talented bunch we are. Thanks to everyone who came, participated, and enjoyed.

B.A.G. News

***Book Arts Guild of Vermont 2018 Show news!

Members and friends are invited to submit work for our show at Studio Place Arts in Barre from May 22 – June 30, where we will be exhibiting in the second floor gallery. Here is our show name and description, which leaves it wide open for interpretation:

Beyond Words: Artworks by the Book Arts Guild of Vermont

Books can take on a language of their own, as shown in the multimedia work of this group of artists that use shape, structure, and materials to get their message across.

Important dates:

Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 1, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.

Opening: May 22, 2018

Closing: June 30, 2018

Artist’s talk: Date TBD

The second show will take place in June at Frog Hollow Craft Gallery on Church Street. This will be a great opportunity to get exposure for our group in the heart of Burlington.

The show will be called The Art of the Book, which leaves it wide open to interpretation.

Important dates:

Submissions: Work must be submitted by May 22, 2018. No work can be accepted after that date.

Opening: June 1, 2018

Closing: June 30, 2018

Artist’s talk: Date TBD

B.A.G. Member News

***B.A.G. member Jane Ploughman is teaching two classes in March:

Collage and Simple Bookmaking
In this workshop, you will make 3 or more books using simple techniques. You will also have time to fill the pages of your books with words, images, color, and all manner of collage material provided!

This workshop is for ages 18+ and all materials will be provided. ​Jane will be co-teaching these workshops with Lily Hinrichsen.

The workshop is being taught twice, so you can attend either on March 23rd or March 24th. The workshops are being held at ARTSight in Bristol from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and cost $70.00 (or $60.00 if you’ve taken our workshops before).

Handmade Books: Simply Sewn
Learn how to sew beautiful single and multiple-signature book bindings. Learn about some of the tools and techniques and how to make informed material choices. The workshop’s focus will be on form and structure. Students will leave with three different sewn softcover bindings. Some bookbinding experience is helpful but not necessary.

The workshop is taking place at the Middlebury Studio School on Saturday, March 31st from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.The cost is $55.00, which includes all materials and handouts.

For more information or to register, contact Barb Nelson at (802) 247-3702 or ewaldewald@aol.com.

The Crossed Structure Binding is intriguing in that the sewing is done directly onto back cover straps that integrate into the front cover. This non-adhesive variation on the long stitch was developed by book artist Carmencho Arregui after studying pre-16th century bindings.

In this workshop, you will work on two variations of this binding, one using paper covers and the other using leather. As time allows, you’ll add stitching to the covers to both reinforce the structure and add a decorative touch. You’ll also learn how to create and use an improvised sewing frame.

The event will be held on Sunday April 29, 2018 at Camp Maude Eaton in Andover, MA. There will be two sessions, one from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please direct them at Lauren Telepak at negbwprograms@gmail.com.

***From February 17 – July 8, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition Keith Smith at Home. This is a rare opportunity to view the creative work of the well-known author of such a beloved series of bookbinding manuals.

Friendship, love, desire: Keith Smith’s life is an open book. For five decades, the Rochester-based artist has used surprising combinations of materials to chronicle his experiences. In this exhibition, explore an array of Smith’s mixed-media photographs and prints, and – his specialty – handmade artist’s books, most from his own collection.

In his work, Keith Smith irreverently disregards the supposed dividing lines between “fine art” (photography, etching, watercolor), “craft” (sewing, quilting, bookmaking), and “utilitarian technologies” (transparencies, photocopies). Although his subject matter is rooted in his personal life, he also grapples with universal themes such as self-representation, domesticity, and intimacy.

This workshop will explore the Secret Belgian binding (also known as Criss Cross binding) and ways to modify it. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for smaller text blocks. Students will complete two versions of the structure; one bound in the traditional sense and the second will offer a bit more secrecy and refinement to the structure.

Registration is available online or alternatively, you can call (207) 780-5900.

Miniature books present difficult design and structural challenges to the bookbinder. A true miniature is less than three inches tall, and during this course, the student will construct three books of diminishing size: a long stitch binding with decorated boards, a lapped component binding, and an accordion in a wrapper with a tongue and slot enclosure.

The course will contrast the utility of case binding, accordion, and non-adhesive structures for miniature books, with a concentration on flexibility and book action. We will analyze materials and techniques suitable for small format books. The limitations inherent in small-scale books will challenge students to do precisely executed and finely detailed work.